N-Heterocyclosulfonyl-N&#39;-pyrimidinylureas and N-heterocyclosulfonyl-N&#39;-triazinylureas

ABSTRACT

N-heterocyclosulfonyl-N&#39;-pyrimidinylureas and N-heterocyclosulfonyl-N&#39;-triazinylureas of the general formula I ##STR1## wherein X is oxygen, sulfur, ##STR2## Y is oxygen or sulfur, Z is oxygen or sulfur, 
     E is nitrogen or --CH═, 
     R 1  is hydrogen, C 1  -C 4  alkyl, C 1  -C 4  haloalkyl, C 1  -C 4  haloalkoxy, C 1  -C 4  alkoxy, halogen, C 1  -C 4  alkylthio, --NR 6  R 7  or alkoxyalkyl containing not more than 4 carbon atoms, 
     R 2  is hydrogen, C 1  -C 3  alkyl, C 1  -C 3  haloalkyl, halogen, nitro, C 1  -C 3  alkoxy, ##STR3## --SO 2  --NR 6  R 7 , --SO n  --C 1  -C 3  alkyl or --CO--R 9 , 
     R 3  is hydrogen, halogen, C 1  -C 3  alkyl, methoxy, nitro or trifluoromethyl, 
     R 4  is hydrogen, C 1  -C 4  alkyl, C 1  -C 4  cyanoalkyl, C 3  14 C 6  cycloalkyl, benzyl, --CO--C 1  -C 4  alkoxy, --CO--NR 6  R 7  or --CO--C 1  -C 4  alkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 to 3 halogen atoms, 
     R 5  is hydrogen, nitro, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, --SO n  --C 1  -C 3  alkyl, --CO--C 1  -C 4  alkoxy or C 1  -C 3  alkoxy, 
     R 6  is hydrogen, C 1  -C 6  alkyl, C 1  -C 4  cyanoalkyl, methoxy or ethoxy, 
     R 7  is hydrogen, C 1  -C 6  alkyl or C 3  -C 6  alkenyl, or 
     R 6  and R 7 , together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a 5- or 6-membered saturated heterocyclic ring which may contain an oxygen or a sulfur atom as ring member, 
     R 8  is hydrogen, C 1  -C 6  alkyl, C 1  -C 4  haloalkyl, C 3  -C 6  cycloalkyl, C 4  -Chd 7cycloalkylalkyl or alkoxyalkyl containing not more than 4 carbon atoms, 
     R 9  is C 1  -C 6  alkoxy, C 3  -C 6  alkenyloxy, C 3  -C 6  alkynyloxy, C 2  -C 6  haloalkoxy, C 1  -C 4  cyanoalkoxy, C 1  -C 6  alkylthio, C 3  -C 6  alkenylthio, C 3  -C 6  alkynylthio, C 5  -C 6  cycloalkoxy, C 4  -C 7  cycloalkylalkoxy, --NR 6  R 7  or alkoxyalkoxy containing not more than 6 carbon atoms, 
     W is oxygen or ═N--O--R 10 , wherein R 10  is hydrogen, C 1  -C 6  alkyl or C 3  -C 6  alkenyl, and 
     n is a value from 0 to 2 
     and the salts of these compounds with amines, alkali metal bases or alkaline earth metal bases or with quaternary ammonium bases, have good preemergence and postemergence selective herbicidal and growth regulating properties.

The present invention relates to novel N-heterocyclosulfonyl-N'-pyrimidinylureas and N-heterocyclosulfonyl-N-triazinylureas with herbicidal and growth regulating properties, to the preparation thereof, to compositions containing these novel compounds, and to the use thereof for controlling weeds, in particular selectively, in crops of useful plants, or for regulating and inhibiting plant growth.

The heterocyclosulfonyl-N'-pyrimidinylureas and N-heterocyclosulfonyl-N-triazinylureas, and the salts thereof, have the general formula I ##STR4## wherein X is oxygen, sulfur, ##STR5## Y is oxygen or sulfur, Z is oxygen or sulfur,

E is nitrogen or --CH═,

R₁ is hydrogen, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, C₁ -C₄ haloalkyl, C₁ -C₄ haloalkoxy, C₁ -C₄ alkoxy, halogen, C₁ -C₄ alkylthio, --NR₆ R₇ or alkoxyalkyl containing not more than 4 carbon atoms,

R₂ is hydrogen,

C₁ -C₃ alkyl, C₁ -C₃ haloalkyl, halogen, nitro, C₁ -C₃ alkoxy, ##STR6## --SO₂ --NR₆ R₇, --SO_(n) --C₁ -C₃ alkyl or --CO--R₉,

R₃ is hydrogen, halogen, C₁ -C₃ alkyl, methoxy, nitro or trifluoromethyl,

R₄ is hydrogen, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, C₁ -C₄ cyanoalkyl, C₃ -C₆ cycloalkyl, benzyl, --CO--C₁ -C₄ alkoxy, --CO--NR₆ R₇ or --CO--C₁ -C₄ alkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 to 3 halogen atoms,

R₅ is hydrogen, nitro, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, --SO_(n) --C₁ -C₃ alkyl, --CO--C₁ -C₄ alkoxy or C₁ -C₃ alkoxy,

R₆ is hydrogen, C₁ -C₆ alkyl, C₁ -C₄ -cyanoalkyl, methoxy or ethoxy,

R₇ is hydrogen, C₁ -C₆ alkyl or C₃ -C₆ alkenyl, or

R₆ and R₇, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a 5- or 6-membered saturated heterocyclic ring which may contain an oxygen or a sulfur atom as ring member,

R₈ is hydrogen, C₁ -C₆ alkyl, C₁ -C₄ haloalkyl, C₃ -C₆ cycloalkyl, C₄ -C₇ cycloalkylalkyl or alkoxyalkyl containing not more than 4 carbon atoms,

R₉ is C₁ -C₆ alkoxy, C₃ -C₆ alkenyloxy, C₃ -C₆ alkynyloxy, C₂ -C₆ haloalkoxy, C₁ -C₄ cyanoalkoxy, C₁ -C₆ alkylthio, C₃ -C₆ alkenylthio, C₃ -C₆ alkynylthio, C₅ -C₆ cycloalkoxy, C₄ -C₇ cycloalkylalkoxy, --NR₆ R₇ or alkoxyalkoxy containing not more than 6 carbon atoms,

W is oxygen or ═N--O--R₁₀, wherein R₁₀ is hydrogen, C₁ -C₆ alkyl or C₃ -C₆ alkenyl, and

n is a value from 0 to 2.

Herbicidally active ureas, triazines and pyrimidines are generally known in the art. Arylsulfonyl-heterocyclylureas with herbicidal and plant growth-regulating action are described e.g. in European patent application Nos. 13480, 30142 or 39239, or in German Offenlegungsschrift No. 2 715 786.

In the above definitions, alkyl denotes straight-chain or branched alkyl, e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, the butyl, pentyl or hexyl isomers.

Alkoxy denotes methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, the four butoxy isomers, n-amyloxy, isoamyloxy, 2-amyloxy or 3-amyloxy, with methoxy, ethoxy, or isopropoxy being preferred.

Alkylthio is e.g. methylthio, ethylthio, n-propylthio, isopropylthio and n-butylthio, with methylthio and ethylthio being preferred.

Cycloalkyl within the scope of formula I denotes cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl.

Typical examples of cycloalkylalkyl are cyclopropylmethyl, cyclopropylethyl, cyclopropylpropyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclobutylethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclopentylethyl and cyclohexylmethyl. Preferred identities are cyclopentylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl and cyclopropylmethyl.

Preferred cyanoalkyl radicals are in general cyanomethyl, cyanoethyl and cyanopropyl.

Preferred heterocyclic rings which can be formed by R₆ and R₇ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached are pyrrolidine, piperidine, morpholine or thiomorpholine.

Alkoxyalkyl radicals are preferably methoxymethyl, methoxyethyl, ethoxyethyl and ethoxyethyl.

Heterocyclic rings X which are bound through the sulfonyl group comprise furane, thiophene, pyrrole and pyridine.

Alkenyl radicals are e.g. vinyl, allyl, isoprenyl, propen-1-yl, buten-1-yl, buten-2-yl, buten-3-yl, isobuten-1-yl, isobuten-2-yl, penten-1-yl, penten-2-yl, penten-3-yl, penten-4-yl and the hexenyl isomers, with vinyl, allyl and penten-4-yl being the preferred identities.

Alkylsulfinyl is e.g. methylsulfinyl, ethylsulfinyl, n-propylsulfinyl and n-butylsulfinyl. Preferred identities are methylsulfinyl and ethylsulfinyl.

Alkylsulfonyl is e.g. methylsulfonyl, ethylsulfonyl or n-propylsulfonyl. Preferred identities are methylsulfonyl and ethylsulfonyl.

Halogen in the above definitons, as well as moiety of haloalkyl, haloalkoxy and haloalkylthio, is fluorine, chlorine and bromine, with fluorine and chlorine being preferred.

Alkynyl radicals in the above definitons are generally propargyl, butyn-2-yl, butyn-3-yl, as well as pentynyl isomers. Preferably, however, alkynyl is propargyl or butyn-2- or 3-yl.

The invention also comprises the salts which the compounds of formula I are able to form with amines alkali metal bases and alkaline earth metal bases, or with quaternary ammonium bases.

Preferred salt-forming alkali metal hydroxides and alkaline earth metal hydroxides are the hydroxides of lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium or calcium, most preferably those of sodium or potassium.

Examples of suitable salt-forming amines are primary, secondary and tertiary aliphatic and aromatic amines such as methylamine, ethylamine, propylamine, isopropylamine, the four butylamine isomers, dimethylamine, diethylamine, diethanolamine, dipropylamine, diisopropylamine, di-n-butylamine, pyrrolidine, piperidine, morpholine, trimethylamine, triethylamine, tripropylamine, quinuclidine, pyridine, quinoline and isoquinoline. Preferred amines are ethylamine, propylamine, diethylamine or triethylamine, with isopropylamine and diethanolamine being most preferred.

Examples of quaternary ammonium bases are, in general, the cations of haloammonium salts, e.g. the tetramethylammonium cation, the trimethylbenzylammonium cation, the triethylbenzylammonium cation, the tetraethylammonium cation, the trimethylethylammonium cation, and also the ammonium cation.

Preferred compounds of the formula I are those in which

(a) Z is oxygen, or

(b) Y is oxygen or

(c) X is sulfur, --NR₄ -- or --CR₅ ═N-- or

(d) E is the methine bridge --CH═ or

(e) R₁ is chlorine, dimethylamino, trifluoromethyl, fluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, difluoromethoxy, methyl or ethyl, or

(f) R₃ is hydrogen or

(g) the radical R₂ is vicinal to the sulfonyl group.

Preferred compounds of subgroup (g) are those in which R₂ is hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, NO₂, C₁ -C₃ alkoxy, acetyl, --COOCH₂ --CH═CH₂, --COOCH₂ --CH₂ --OCH₃, --COOCH₂ --C.tbd.CH, --SO₂ --N(CH₃)₂, --SO₂ CH₃ or --CO--C₁ -C₄ alkoxy.

A further preferred subgroup comprises compounds of formula I, wherein Y and Z are oxygen, E is the methine bridge, R₁ is chlorine, dimethylamino, trifluoromethyl, fluoromethyl, methoxy, difluoromethoxy, ethoxy, methyl or ethyl, R₂ is vicinal to the sulfonyl group and is hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, C₁ -C₃ alkoxy, acetyl, NO₂, --SO₂ --CH₃, --COOCH₂ --CH═CH₂, --COOCH₂ 13 CH₂ --OCH₃, --COOCH₂ --C.tbd.CH, --SO₂ --N(CH₃)₂ or --CO--C₁ -C₄ alkoxy, and R₃ is hydrogen.

The most preferred subgroups of compounds of formula I are

(1) compounds wherein X is a sulfur atom, Y and Z are oxygen, E is the methine bridge, R₁ is chlorine, dimethylamino, trifluoromethyl, fluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, difluoromethoxy, methyl or ethyl, R₂ is vicinal to the sulfonyl group and is hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, C₁ -C₃ alkoxy, acetyl, --SO₂ --CH₃, NO₂, --COOCH₂ --CH═CH₂, --COOCH₂ --CH₂ --OCH₃, --COOCH₂ --C.tbd.CH, --SO₂ --N(CH₃)₂ or --CO--C₁ -C₄ alkoxy, and R₃ is hydrogen;

(2) compounds wherein X is --NR₄ --, Y and Z are oxygen, E is the methine bridge, R₁ is chlorine, dimethylamino, trifluoromethyl, fluoromethyl, methoxy, difluoromethoxy, methyl or ethyl, R₂ is vicinal to the sulfonyl group and is hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, C₁ -C₃ -alkoxy, acetyl, NO₂, --SO₂ --CH₃, --COOCH₂ --CH═CH₂, --COOCH₂ CH₂ OCH₃, --COOCH₂ --C.tbd.CH, --SO₂ --N(CH₃)₂ or --CO--C₁ -C₄ alkoxy, and R₃ is hydrogen;

(3) compounds wherein X is --CR₅ ═N--, Y and Z are oxygen, E is the methine bridge, R₁ is chlorine, dimethylamino, trifluoromethyl, fluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, difluoromethoxy, methyl or ethyl, R₂ is vicinal to the sulfonyl group and is hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, NO₂, C₁ -C₃ alkoxy, acetyl, --SO₂ --CH₃, --COOCH₂ --CH═CH₂, --COOCH₂ --CH₂ --OCH₃, --COOCH₂ --C.tbd.CH, --SO₂ --N(CH₃)₂ or --CO--C₁ -C₄ alkoxy, and R₃ is hydrogen.

Preferred individual compounds are:

N-(2-methoxycarbonyl-3-thienylsulfonyl)-N'-(4-difluoromethoxy-6-methylpyrimidin-2-yl)urea,

N-(4-methoxycarbonyl-3-thienylsulfonyl)-N'-(4-difluoromethoxy-6-methoxypyrimidin-2-yl)urea,

N-(4-methoxycarbonyl-3-thienylsulfonyl)-N'-(4-difluoromethoxy-6-methylpyrimidin-2-yl)urea,

N-(2-chloro-3-pyridylsulfonyl)-N'-(4-difluoromethoxy-6-methylpyrimidin-2-yl)urea,

N-(2-pyridinylsulfonyl)-N'-(4-difluoromethoxy-6-methylpyrimidin-2-yl)urea,

N-(2-pyrrolylsulfonyl)-N'-(4-difluoromethoxy-6-methylpyrimidin-2-yl)urea and

N-(3-pyrrolylsulfonyl)-N'-(4-difluoromethoxy-6-methylpyrimidin-2-yl)urea.

The process for obtaining the compounds of formula I is carried out in an inert organic solvent.

In a first process, the compounds of the formula I are obtained by reacting a heterocyclosulfonamide of the formula II ##STR7## wherein X, R₂ and R₃ are as defined for formula I, with a N-pyrimidinylcarbamate or N-triazinylcarbamate of the formula III ##STR8## wherein E, R₁, Y and Z are as defined for formula I, in the presence of a base.

In a second process, compound of formula I are obtained by reacting a heterocyclosulfonylisocyanate or heterocyclosulfonylisothiocyanate of the formula IV ##STR9## wherein R₂, R₃, X and Z are as defined for formula I, with an aminopyrimidine or aminotriazine of the formula V ##STR10## wherein E, R₁ and Y are as defined for formula I, optionally in the presence of a base.

In a further process, the compounds of formula I are obtained by reacting a heterocyclosulfonamide of the formula II above with an isocyanate or isothiocyanate of the formula VI ##STR11## wherein E, R₁, Y and Z are as defined for formula I, optionally in the presence of a base.

Finally, the compounds of formula I can also be obtained by reacting a N-heterocyclosulfonylcarbamate of the formula VII ##STR12## wherein R₂, R₃ and X are as defined for formula I, with an aminopyrimidine or aminotriazine of the formula V above.

If desired, the ureas of formula I can be converted into addition salts with amines, alkali metal hydroxides or alkaline earth metal hydroxides, or with quaternary ammonium bases. This conversion is carried out e.g. by reacting the compounds of formula I with the equimolar amount of a base and removing the solvent by evaporation.

It is convenient to carry out these reactions for obtaining compounds of formula I in aprotic, inert organic solvents such as methylene chloride, tetrahydrofuran, acetonitrile, dioxan or toluene.

The reaction temperatures are preferably in the range from -20° to +120° C. The reactions are normally slightly exothermic and can be carried out at room temperature. To shorten the reaction time or also to initiate the reaction it is expedient to heat the reaction mixture briefly to boiling point. The reaction times can also be shortened by addition of a few drops of a base or isocyanate as catalyst.

The bases employed may be both organic bases such as amines, e.g. triethylamine, quinuclidine, pyridine etc., and inorganic bases, e.g. hydrides such as sodium hydride or calcium hydride, hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, or bicarbonates such as potassium bicarbonate or sodium bicarbonate.

The final products can be isolated by concentrating the reaction mixture and/or removing the solvent by evaporation, and by recrystallisation or by triturating the solid residue in a solvent in which it is poorly soluble, such as an ether, an aromatic hydrocarbon or a chlorinated hydrocarbon.

The compounds of formula I are stable compounds, and no protective measures are required for handling them.

The intermediates of the formulae II, IV and VII are known or they can be prepared by known methods.

Compounds of formula V are obtained in accordance with European patent application No. 70 804 by reacting an aminopyridine or aminotriazine of the formula VIII ##STR13## wherein R₁, Y and E are as defined for formula I, with difluorochloromethane or difluorobromomethane, in the presence of a base.

The process for the preparation of compounds of formula V is conveniently carried out in an inert polar solvent or mixture of solvents. Suitable solvents are ethers such as dioxan, tetrahydrofuran, ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether; alcohols such as methanol or ethanol; ketones such as acetone or ethyl methyl ketone; dimethylformamide; acetonitrile or dimethylsulfoxide. Particularly suitable bases are: sodium hydride and calcium hydride, potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide, potassium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate. In suitable cases, the base may be added in the form of an aqueous solution.

The starting materials of the formula VIII are known or they may be obtained by methods similar to known ones. The intermediates of the formulae III and VI are obtained from the intermediates of formula V by methods corresponding to known ones.

When used in low rates of application, the compounds of formula I have good selective growth inhibiting and selective herbicidal properties which make them most suitable for use in crops of useful plants, especially in cereals, cotton, soybeans, maize and rice. In some cases damage is also caused to weeds which have only been controlled up to now with total herbicides.

The mode of action of these compounds is unusual. Many are translocatable, i.e. they are absorbed by the plant and transported to other parts of it where they then exert their action. Thus, for example, it is possible to damage perennial weeds to the roots by surface treatment. Compared with other herbicides and growth regulators, the novel compounds of the formula I are effective even when used in very low rates of application.

The compounds of formula I have in addition pronounced growth-regulating, especially growth-inhibiting, properties. The growth of both monocots and dicots is inhibited. Thus, for example, the compounds of formula I selectively inhibit the growth of leguminosae which are frequently planted as cover crops in tropical regions, so that, while soil erosion between cultivated plants is prevented, the cover crops cannot compete with the cultivated plants.

Inhibition of the vegetative growth of many cultivated plants permits more plants to be sown in a crop area, so that a higher yield may be obtained per unit of area. A further mechanism of yield increase using growth regulators resides in the fact that nutrients are able increasingly to promote flower formation and fruiting, whilst vegetative growth is inhibited.

Further, the compounds of formula I are suitable for preventing stored potatoes from seeding. During winter storage, potatoes often develop sprouts which result in shrinkage, weight loss, and rot.

At higher rates of application, all tested plants are so severely damaged in their development that they die.

The invention also relates to herbicidal and growth-regulating compositions which contain a novel compound of the formula I, and also to methods of controlling weeds pre- and postemergence and of inhibiting the growth of monocots and dicots, especially grasses, tropical cover crops and tobacco plant suckers.

The compounds of the formula I are used in unmodified form or, preferably, together with the adjuvants conventionally employed in the art of formulation, and are therefore formulated in known manner to emulsifiable concentrates, coatable pastes, directly sprayable or dilutable solutions, dilute emulsions, wettable powders, soluble powders, dusts, granulates, and also encapsulations in e.g. polymer substances. As with the nature of the compositions, the methods of application, such as spraying, atomising, dusting, scattering or pouring, are chosen in accordance with the intended objectives and the prevailing circumstances.

The formulations, i.e. the compositions containing the compound (active ingredient) of the formula I and, where appropriate, a solid or liquid adjuvant, are prepared in known manner, e.g. by homogeneously mixing and/or grinding the active ingredients with extenders, e.g. solvents, solid carriers and, where appropriate, surface-active compounds (surfactants).

Suitable solvents are: aromatic hydrocarbons, preferably the fractions containing 8 to 12 carbon atoms, e.g. xylene mixtures or substituted naphthalenes, phthalates such as dibutyl phthalate or dioctyl phthalate, aliphatic hydrocarbons such as cyclohexane or paraffins, alcohols and glycols and their ethers and esters, such as ethanol, ethylene glycol monomethyl or monoethyl ether, ketones such as cyclohexanone, strongly polar solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, dimethylsulfoxide or dimethylformamide, as well as epoxidised vegetable oils such as epoxidised coconut oil or soybean oil; or water.

The solid carriers used e.g. for dusts and dispersible powders, are normally natural mineral fillers such as calcite, talcum, kaolin, montmorillonite or attapulgite. In order to improve the physical properties it is also possible to add highly dispersed silicic acid or highly dispersed absorbent polymers. Suitable granulated adsorptive carriers are porous types, for example pumice, broken brick, sepiolite or bentonite; and suitable nonsorbent carriers are materials such as calcite or sand. In addition, a great number of pregranulated materials of inorganic or organic nature can be used, e.g. especially dolomite or pulverised plant residues.

Depending on the nature of the compound of the formula I to be formulated, suitable surface-active compounds are nonionic, cationic and/or anionic surfactants having good emulsifying, dispersing and wetting properties. The term "surfactants" will also be understood as comprising mixtures of surfactants.

Suitable anionic surfactants can be both water-soluble soaps and water-soluble synthetic surface-active compounds.

Suitable soaps are the alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts or unsubstituted or substituted ammonium salts of higher fatty acids (C₁₀ -C₂₂), e.g. the sodium or potassium salts of oleic or stearic acid, or of natural fatty acid mixtures which can be obtained e.g. from coconut oil or tallow oil. Mention may also be made of fatty acid methyltaurin salts.

More frequently, however, so-called synthetic surfactants are used, especially fatty sulfonates, fatty sulfates, sulfonated benzimidazole derivatives or alkylarylsulfonates.

The fatty sulfonates or sulfates are usually in the form of alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts or unsubstituted or substituted ammonium salts and contain a C₈ -C₂₂ alkyl radical which also includes the alkyl moiety of acyl radicals, e.g. the sodium or calcium salt of lignosulfonic acid, of dodecylsulfate or of a mixture of fatty alcohol sulfates obtained from natural fatty acids. These compounds also comprise the salts of sulfuric acid esters and sulfonic acids of fatty alcohol/ethylene oxide adducts. The sulfonated benzimidazole derivatives preferably contain 2 sulfonic acid groups and one fatty acid radical containing 8 to 22 carbon atoms. Examples of alkylarylsulfonates are the sodium, calcium or triethylanolamine salts of naphthalenesulfonic acid/formaldehyde condensation product. Also suitable are corresponding phosphates, e.g. salts of the phosphoric acid ester of an adduct of p-nonylphenol with 4 to 14 moles of ethylene oxide, or phospholipides.

Non-ionic surfactants are preferably polyglycol ether derivatives of aliphatic of cycloaliphatic alcohols, or saturated or unsaturated fatty acids and alkylphenols, said derivatives containing 3 to 30 glycol ether groups and 8 to 20 carbon atoms in the (aliphatic) hydrocarbon moiety and 6 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety of the alkylphenols.

Further suitable non-ionic surfactants are the water-soluble adducts of polyethylene oxide with polypropylene glycol, ethylenediamine propylene glycol and alkylpolypropylene glycol containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, which adducts contain 20 to 250 ethylene glycol ether groups and 10 to 100 propylene glycol ether groups. These compounds usually contain 1 to 5 ethylene glycol units per propylene glycol units.

Representative examples of non-ionic surfactants are nonylphenolpolyethoxyethanols, castor oil polyglycol ethers, polypropylene/polyethylene oxide adducts, tributylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol, polyethylene glycol and octylphenoxyethoxyethanol. Fatty acids esters of polyoxyethylene sorbitan and polyoxyethylene sorbitan trioleate are also suitable non-ionic surfactants.

Cationic surfactants are preferably quaternary ammonium salts which contain, an N-substituent, at least one C₈ -C₂₂ alkyl radical and, as further substituents, lower unsubstituted or halogenated alkyl, benzyl or lower hydroxyalkyl radicals. The salts are preferably in the form of halides, methylsulfates or ethylsulfates, e.g. stearyltrimethylammonium chloride or benzyldi(2-chloroethyl)ethylammonium bromide.

The surfactants customarily employed in the art of formulation are described e.g. in "McCutcheon's Detergents and Emulsifiers Annual", MC Publishing Corp. Ridgewood, N.J., 1979, and Sisley and Wood, "Encyclopedia of Surface Active Agents", Chemical Publishing Co., Inc. New York, 1964.

The pesticidal compositions usually contain 0.1 to 95%, preferably 0.1 to 80%, of a compound of the formula I, 1 to 99.9%, of a solid or liquid adjuvant, and 0 to 25%, preferably 0.1 to 25%, of a surfactant.

Preferred formulations are composed in particular of the following constituents (%=percentage by weight):

    ______________________________________                                         Emulsifiable concentrates                                                      active ingredient:                                                                            1 to 20%,  preferably 5 to 10%                                  surfactant:    5 to 30%,  preferably 10 to 20%                                 liquid carrier:                                                                               50 to 94%, preferably 70 to 85%                                 Dusts                                                                          active ingredient:                                                                            0.1 to 10%,                                                                               preferably 0.1 to 1%                                 solid carrier: 99.9 to 90%,                                                                              preferably 99.9 to 99%                               Suspension concentrates                                                        active ingredient:                                                                            5 to 75%,  preferably 10 to 50%                                 water:         94 to 25%, preferably 90 to 30%                                 surfactant:    1 to 40%,  preferably 2 to 30%                                  Wettable powders                                                               active ingredient:                                                                            0.5 to 90%,                                                                               preferably 10 to 80%                                 surfactant:    0.5 to 20%,                                                                               preferably 1 to 15%                                  solid carrier: 5 to 95%,  preferably 15 to 90%                                 Granulates                                                                     active ingredient:                                                                            0.5 to 30%,                                                                               preferably 3 to 15%                                  solid carrier: 99.5 to 70%,                                                                              preferably 97 to 85%.                                ______________________________________                                    

Whereas commercial products will be preferably formulated as concentrates, the end user will normally employ dilute formulations. The formulations can be diluted to a concentration as low as 0.001%. The rates of application are normally from 0.01 to 10 kg a.i./ha, preferably from 0.025 to 5 kg a.i./ha.

PREPARATORY EXAMPLES EXAMPLE 1 N-(2-Methoxycarbonyl-3-thienylsulfonyl)-N'-(4-difluoromethoxy-6-methylpyrimidin-2-yl)urea

A solution of 6.2 g of 2-methoxycarbonyl-3-thienylsulfonylisocyanate in 50 ml of absolute tetrahydrofuran is stirred dropwise into a solution of 4.4 g of 2-amino-4-difluoromethoxy-6-methylpyrimidine in 80 ml of absolute tetrahydrofuran. During the course of this addition, the temperature of the reaction mixture rises from 20° to 26° C. After it has been stirred for another hour, the raction mixture is filtered and the filtrate is concentrated. The residue is crystallised from ethyl acetate, affording 5.3 g (50%) of N-(2-methoxycarbonyl-3-thienylsulfonyl)-N'-(4-difluoromethoxy-6-methylpyrimidin-2-yl)urea (compound 2.1) with a melting point of 178°-179° C.

EXAMPLE 2 N-(2-Chloro-3-pyridinylsulfonyl)-N'-(4-difluoromethoxy-6-methylpyrimidin-2-yl)urea

To a mixture of 0.652 g of 2-chloro-3-pyridinylsulfonamide and 0.55 ml of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene in 10 ml of absolute dioxan is added, at 25° C., 1 g of N-(4-difluoromethoxy-6-methylpyrimidin-2-yl)phenylcarbamate. The reaction mixture is stirred for another 2 hours at the same temperature and then concentrated. The residue is taken up in ice/water and neutralised with 1.86 ml of 2N hydrochloric acid. The precipitate is isolated, washed with water and dreid, affording 1.2 g (90%) of N-(2-chloro-3-pyridinylsulfonyl)-N'-(4-difluoromethoxy-6-methylpyrimidin-2-yl)urea (compound 1.15) with a melting point of 161°-162° C.

EXAMPLE 3 N-(2-Pyridinylsulfonyl)-N'-(4-difluoromethoxy-6-methylpyrimidin-2-yl)-urea

To a solution of 0.52 g of 2-pyridinylsulfonamide and 0.55 g of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene in 10 ml of absolute dioxan is added 1 g of N-(4-difluoromethoxy-6-methylpyrimidin-2-yl)-phenylcarbamate. The reaction mixture is stirred for 6 hours at 20°-25° C., then taken up in water and acidified with 2N hydrochloric acid. The precipitate is isolated, washed with water and recrystallised from a mixture of acetone/ether, affording 0.5 g (42.4%) of N-(2-pyridinylsulfonyl)-N'-(4-difluoromethoxy-6-methylpyrimidin-2-yl)urea (compound 1.1) with a melting point of 150°-151° C.

EXAMPLE 4 N-Pyrrolylsulfonyl-N'-(4-difluoromethoxy-6-methylpyrimidin-2-yl)urea

5.7 g of chlorosulfonylisocyanate are added dropwise at 0°-5° C. to a solution of 7 g of 2-amino-4-difluoromethoxy-6-methylpyrimidine in 100 ml of absolute tetrahydrofuran. The yellowish solution is stirred for 10 minutes at 0° C., then 5.6 ml of pyrrole are added and the reaction mixture is stirred for 17 hours at 20°-25° C. The solvent is evaporated off and the residue is taken up in a mixture of 25 ml of methanol, 50 ml of water and 3.2 g of sodium hydroxide. The solution is shaken vigorously for 10 minutes, washed with two 50 ml portions of methylene chloride and acidified with glacial acetic acid. The acid aqueous solution is then extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic extracts are dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated to give a 1:1 mixture of two isomers in 20% yield. This mixture of isomers is chromatographed over silica gel with a 4:1 mixture of petroleum ether/ethyl acetate, affording N-(2-pyrrolylsulfonyl)-N'-4-difluoromethoxy-6-methylpyrimidin-2-yl)urea with a melting point of 189° C. (compound 4.1) and N-(3-pyrrolylsulfonyl)-N'-(4-difluoromethoxy-6-methylpyrimidin-2-yl)urea with a melting point of 173°-174° C. (compound 4.8).

The compounds of formula I listed in the following Tables 1 to 4 are prepared in corresponding manner.

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                          ##STR14##                                                                                                  Posi-                                                                          tion of                                                                        the sul-                                          Com-                         fonyl         m.p.                                pound R.sub.1   R.sub.2      group R.sub.3                                                                            Z   [°C.]                        ______________________________________                                         1.1   CH.sub.3  H            2     H   O   150-                                                                           151                                 1.2   OCH.sub.3 H            2     H   O                                       1.3   Cl        H            2     H   O                                       1.4   N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                        H            2     H   O                                       1.5   C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                          H            2     H   O                                       1.6   CF.sub.3  H            2     H   O                                       1.7   OCHF.sub.2                                                                               H            2     H   O                                       1.8   CH.sub.3  H            3     H   O                                       1.9   OCH.sub.3 H            3     H   O                                       1.10  Cl        H            3     H   O                                       1.11  N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                        H            3     H   O                                       1.12  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                          H            3     H   O                                       1.13  CF.sub.3  H            3     H   O                                       1.14  OCHF.sub.2                                                                               H            3     H   O                                       1.15  CH.sub.3  2-Cl         3     H   O   161-                                                                           162                                 1.16  OCH.sub.3 2-Cl         3     H   O                                       1.17  Cl        2-Cl         3     H   O                                       1.18  N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                        2-Cl         3     H   O                                       1.19  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                          2-Cl         3     H   O                                       1.20  CF.sub.3  2-Cl         3     H   O                                       1.21  OCHF.sub.2                                                                               2-Cl         3     H   O                                       1.22  CH.sub.3  2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3     H   O                                       1.23  OCH.sub.3 2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3     H   O                                       1.24  Cl        2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3     H   O                                       1.25  N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                        2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3     H   O                                       1.26  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                          2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3     H   O                                       1.27  CF.sub.3  2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3     H   O                                       1.28  OCHF.sub.2                                                                               2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3     H   O                                       1.29  CH.sub.3  2-SO.sub.2CH.sub.3                                                                          3     H   O   184                                                                            (de-                                                                           comp.)                              1.30  OCH.sub.3 2-SO.sub.2CH.sub.3                                                                          3     H   O                                       1.31  Cl        2-SO.sub.2CH.sub.3                                                                          3     H   O                                       1.32  N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                        2-SO.sub.2CH.sub.3                                                                          3     H   O                                       1.33  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                          2-SO.sub.2CH.sub.3                                                                          3     H   O                                       1.34  CF.sub.3  2-SO.sub.2CH.sub.3                                                                          3     H   O                                       1.35  OCHF.sub.2                                                                               2-SO.sub.2CH.sub.3                                                                          3     H   O                                       1.36  CH.sub.3  2-F          3     H   O                                       1.37  OCH.sub.3 2-F          3     H   O                                       1.38  Cl        2-F          3     H   O                                       1.39  N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                        2-F          3     H   O                                       1.40  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                          2-F          3     H   O                                       1.41  CF.sub.3  2-F          3     H   O                                       1.42  OCHF.sub.2                                                                               2-F          3     H   O                                       1.43  CH.sub.3  3-Cl         3     H   O                                       1.44  OCH.sub.3 3-Cl         2     H   O                                       1.45  Cl        3-Cl         2     H   O                                       1.46  N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                        3-Cl         2     H   O                                       1.47  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                          3-Cl         2     H   O                                       1.48  CF.sub.3  3-Cl         2     H   O                                       1.49  OCHF.sub.2                                                                               3-Cl         2     H   O                                       1.50  CH.sub.3  3-OCH.sub.3  2     H   O   161                                                                            (de-                                                                           comp.)                              1.51  OCH.sub.3 3-OCH.sub.3  2     H   O                                       1.52  Cl        3-OCH.sub.3  2     H   O                                       1.53  N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                        3-OCH.sub.3  2     H   O                                       1.54  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                          3-OCH.sub.3  2     H   O                                       1.55  CF.sub.3  3-OCH.sub.3  2     H   O                                       1.56  OCHF.sub.2                                                                               3-OCH.sub.3  2     H   O                                       1.57  CH.sub.3  2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3     H   S                                       1.58  OCH.sub.3 2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3     H   S                                       1.59  Cl        2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3     H   S                                       1.60  N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                        2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3     H   S                                       1.61  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                          2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3     H   S                                       1.62  CF.sub.3  2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3     H   S                                       1.63  OCHF.sub.2                                                                               2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3     H   S                                       1.64  CH.sub.3  3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               2     H   S                                       1.65  OCH.sub.3 3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               2     H   S                                       1.66  Cl        3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               2     H   S                                       1.67  N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                        3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               2     H   S                                       1.68  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                          3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               2     H   S                                       1.69  CF.sub.3  3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               2     H   S                                       1.70  OCHF.sub.2                                                                               3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               2     H   S                                       1.71  CH.sub.3  6-F          2     H   O                                       1.72  OCH.sub.3 6-F          2     H   O                                       1.73  Cl        6-F          2     H   O                                       1.74  N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                        6-F          2     H   O                                       1.75  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                          6-F          2     H   O                                       1.76  CF.sub.3  6-F          2     H   O                                       1.77  OCHF.sub.2                                                                               6-F          2     H   O                                       1.78  CH.sub.3  6-OCH.sub.3  2     H   O                                       1.79  OCH.sub.3 6-OCH.sub.3  2     H   O                                       1.80  Cl        6-OCH.sub.3  2     H   O                                       1.81  N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                        6-OCH.sub.3  2     H   O                                       1.82  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                          6-OCH.sub.3  2     H   O                                       1.83  CF.sub.3  6-OCH.sub.3  2     H   O                                       1.84  OCHF.sub.2                                                                               6-OCH.sub.3  2     H   O                                       1.85  CH.sub.3  4-Cl         3     H   O   126-                                                                           128                                 1.86  CH.sub.3  2-OCH.sub.3  3     H   O   148-                                                                           150                                 1.87  CH.sub.3  2-OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                               3     H   O                                       1.88  OCH.sub.3 2-OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                               3     H   O                                       1.89  CH.sub.3  4-COOC.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                        3     H   O                                       1.90  OCH.sub.3 4-COOC.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                        3     H   O                                       ______________________________________                                    

                                      TABLE 2                                      __________________________________________________________________________      ##STR15##                                                                                              Position of the                                       Compound                                                                             R.sub.1                                                                              R.sub.2      sulfonyl group                                                                         Z  Y  m.p. [°C.]                       __________________________________________________________________________     2.1   CH.sub.3                                                                             2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       O  O  178-179                                 2.2   OCH.sub.3                                                                            2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       O  O  171-174                                 2.3   Cl    2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       O  O  119-120                                 2.4   N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       O  O  232                                     2.5   C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                      2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       O  O                                          2.6   CF.sub.3                                                                             2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       O  O                                          2.7   OCHF.sub.2                                                                           2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       O  O  198-200                                 2.8   CH.sub.3                                                                             4-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       O  O  159-161                                 2.9   OCH.sub.3                                                                            4-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       O  O  161-162                                 2.10  Cl    4-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       O  O                                          2.11  N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    4-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       O  O  225-227                                 2.12  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                      4-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       O  O                                          2.13  CF.sub.3                                                                             4-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       O  O                                          2.14  OCHF.sub.2                                                                           4-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       O  O  178-179                                 2.15  CH.sub.3                                                                             2-COOCH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     3       O  O  186-189                                 2.16  OCH.sub.3                                                                            2-COOCH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     3       O  O                                          2.17  Cl    2-COOCH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     3       O  O                                          2.18  N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    2-COOCH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     3       O  O                                          2.19  OC.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     2-COOCH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     3       O  O                                          2.20  CF.sub.3                                                                             2-COOCH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     3       O  O                                          2.21  OCHF.sub.2                                                                           2-COOCH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     3       O  O                                          2.22  CH.sub.3                                                                             2-COOCH.sub.2CHCH.sub.2                                                                     3       O  O                                          2.23  OCH.sub.3                                                                            2-COOCH.sub.2CHCH.sub.2                                                                     3       O  O                                          2.24  Cl    2-COOCH.sub.2CHCH.sub.2                                                                     3       O  O                                          2.25  N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    2-COOCH.sub.2CHCH.sub.2                                                                     3       O  O                                          2.26  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                      2-COOCH.sub.2CHCH.sub.2                                                                     3       O  O                                          2.27  CF.sub.3                                                                             2-COOCH.sub. 2CHCH.sub.2                                                                    3       O  O                                          2.28  OCHF.sub.2                                                                           2-COOCH.sub.2CHCH.sub.2                                                                     3       O  O                                          2.29  CH.sub.3                                                                             5-Cl         2       O  O                                          2.30  OCH.sub.3                                                                            5-Cl         2       O  O                                          2.31  Cl    5-Cl         2       O  O                                          2.32  N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    5-Cl         2       O  O                                          2.33  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                      5-Cl         2       O  O                                          2.34  CF.sub.3                                                                             5-Cl         2       O  O                                          2.35  OCHF.sub.2                                                                           5-Cl         2       O  O                                          2.36  CH.sub.3                                                                             H            2       O  O                                          2.37  OCH.sub.3                                                                            H            2       O  O                                          2.38  Cl    H            2       O  O                                          2.39  N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    H            2       O  O                                          2.40  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                      H            2       O  O                                          2.41  CF.sub.3                                                                             H            2       O  O                                          2.42  OCHF.sub.2                                                                           H            2       O  O                                          2.43  CH.sub.3                                                                             H            3       O  O                                          2.44  OCH.sub.3                                                                            H            3       O  O                                          2.45  Cl    H            3       O  O                                          2.46  N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    H            3       O  O                                          2.47  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                      H            3       O  O                                          2.48  CF.sub.3                                                                             H            3       O  O                                          2.49  OCHF.sub.2                                                                           H            3       O  O                                          2.50  CH.sub.3                                                                             2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       S  O                                          2.51  OCH.sub.3                                                                            2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       S  O                                          2.52  Cl    2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       S  O                                          2.53  N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       S  O                                          2.54  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                      2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       S  O                                          2.55  CF.sub.3                                                                             2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       S  O                                          2.56  OCHF.sub.2                                                                           2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       S  O                                          2.57  CH.sub.3                                                                             4-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       S  O                                          2.58  OCH.sub.3                                                                            4-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       S  O                                          2.59  Cl    4-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       S  O                                          2.60  N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    4-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       S  O                                          2.61  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                      4-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       S  O                                          2.62  CF.sub.3                                                                             4-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       S  O                                          2.63  OCHF.sub.2                                                                           4-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       S  O                                          2.64  CH.sub.3                                                                             3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               2       S  O                                          2.65  OCH.sub.3                                                                            3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               2       S  O                                          2.66  Cl    3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               2       S  O                                          2.67  N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               2       S  O                                          2.68  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                      3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               2       S  O                                          2.69  CF.sub.3                                                                             3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               2       S  O                                          2.70  OCHF.sub.2                                                                           3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               2       S  O                                          2.71  CH.sub.3                                                                             3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               2       O  S                                          2.72  OCH.sub.3                                                                            3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               2       O  S                                          2.73  Cl    3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               2       O  S                                          2.74  N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               2       O  S                                          2.75  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                      3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               2       O  S                                          2.76  CF.sub.3                                                                             3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               2       O  S                                          2.77  OCHF.sub.2                                                                           3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               2       O  S                                          2.78  CH.sub.3                                                                             2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       O  S                                          2.79  OCH.sub.3                                                                            2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       O  S                                          2.80  Cl    2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       O  S                                          2.81  N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       O  S                                          2.82  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                      2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       O  S                                          2.83  CF.sub.3                                                                             2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       O  S                                          2.84  OCHF.sub.2                                                                           2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       O  S                                          2.85  CH.sub.3                                                                             4-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       O  S                                          2.86  OCH.sub.3                                                                            4-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       O  S                                          2.87  Cl    4-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       O  S                                          2.88  N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    4-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       O  S                                          2.89  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                      4-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       O  S                                          2.90  CF.sub.3                                                                             4-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       O  S                                          2.91  OCHF.sub.2                                                                           4-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               3       O  S                                          2.92  CH.sub.3                                                                             2-SO.sub.2CH.sub.3                                                                          3       O  O                                          2.93  OCH.sub.3                                                                            2-SO.sub.2CH.sub.3                                                                          3       O  O                                          2.94  Cl    2-SO.sub.2CH.sub.3                                                                          3       O  O                                          2.95  N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    2-SO.sub.2CH.sub.3                                                                          3       O  O                                          2.96  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                      2-SO.sub.2CH.sub.3                                                                          3       O  O                                          2.97  CF.sub.3                                                                             2-SO.sub.2CH.sub.3                                                                          3       O  O                                          2.98  OCHF.sub.2                                                                           2-SO.sub.2CH.sub.3                                                                          3       O  O                                          2.99  CH.sub.3                                                                             3-SO.sub.2CH.sub.3                                                                          2       O  O                                          2.100 OCH.sub.3                                                                            3-SO.sub.2CH.sub.3                                                                          2       O  O                                          2.101 Cl    3-SO.sub.2CH.sub.3                                                                          2       O  O                                          2.102 N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    3-SO.sub.2CH.sub.3                                                                          2       O  O                                          2.103 C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                      3-SO.sub.2CH.sub.3                                                                          2       O  O                                          2.104 CF.sub.3                                                                             3-SO.sub.2CH.sub.3                                                                          2       O  O                                          2.105 OCHF.sub.2                                                                           3-SO.sub.2CH.sub.3                                                                          2       O  O                                          2.106 CH.sub.3                                                                             4-SO.sub.2CH.sub.3                                                                          3       O  O                                          2.107 OCH.sub.3                                                                            4-SO.sub.2CH.sub.3                                                                          3       O  O                                          2.108 Cl    4-SO.sub.2CH.sub.3                                                                          3       O  O                                          2.109 N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    4-SO.sub.2CH.sub.3                                                                          3       O  O                                          2.110 C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                      4-SO.sub.2CH.sub.3                                                                          3       O  O                                          2.111 CF.sub.3                                                                             4-SO.sub.2CH.sub.3                                                                          3       O  O                                          2.112 OCHF.sub.2                                                                           4-SO.sub.2CH.sub.3                                                                          3       O  O                                          2.113 CH.sub.3                                                                             2-SO.sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                 3       O  O                                          2.114 OCH.sub.3                                                                            2-SO.sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                 3       O  O                                          2.115 Cl    2-SO.sub. 2N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                3       O  O                                          2.116 N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    2-SO.sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                 3       O  O                                          2.117 C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                      2-SO.sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                 3       O  O                                          2.118 CF.sub.3                                                                             2-SO.sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                 3       O  O                                          2.119 OCHF.sub.2                                                                           2-SO.sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                 3       O  O                                          2.120 CH.sub.3                                                                             4-SO.sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                 3       O  O                                          2.121 OCH.sub.3                                                                            4-SO.sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                 3       O  O                                          2.122 Cl    4-SO.sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                 3       O  O                                          2.123 N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    4-SO.sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                 3       O  O                                          2.124 C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                      4-SO.sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                 3       O  O                                          2.125 CF.sub.3                                                                             4-SO.sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                 3       O  O                                          2.126 OCHF.sub.2                                                                           4-SO.sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                 3       O  O                                          2.127 CH.sub.3                                                                             3-SO.sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                 2       O  O                                          2.128 OCH.sub.3                                                                            3-SO.sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                 2       O  O                                          2.129 Cl    3-SO.sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                 2       O  O                                          2.130 N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    3-SO.sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                 2       O  O                                          2.131 C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                      3-SO.sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                 2       O  O                                          2.132 CF.sub.3                                                                             3-SO.sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                 2       O  O                                          2.133 OCHF.sub.2                                                                           3-SO.sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                 2       O  O                                          2.134 CH.sub.3                                                                             2-COCH.sub.3 3       O  O                                          2.135 OCH.sub.3                                                                            2-COCH.sub.3 3       O  O                                          2.136 Cl    2-COCH.sub.3 3       O  O                                          2.137 N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    2-COCH.sub.3 3       O  O                                          2.138 C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                      2-COCH.sub.3 3       O  O                                          2.139 CF.sub.3                                                                             2-COCH.sub.3 3       O  O                                          2.140 OCHF.sub.2                                                                           2-COCH.sub.3 3       O  O                                          2.141 CH.sub.3                                                                             2-COOC.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                        3       O  O                                          2.142 OCH.sub.3                                                                            2-COOC.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                        3       O  O                                          2.143 Cl    2-COOC.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                        3       O  O                                          2.144 N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    2-COOC.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                        3       O  O                                          2.145 C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                      2-COOC.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                        3       O  O                                          2.146 CF.sub.3                                                                             2-COOC.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                        3       O  O                                          2.147 OCHF.sub.2                                                                           2-COOC.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                        3       O  O                                          2.148 CH.sub.3                                                                             2-COOCH.sub.2CCH                                                                            3       O  O  182-186                                 2.149 OCH.sub.3                                                                            2-COOCH.sub.2CCH                                                                            3       O  O                                          2.150 Cl    2-COOCH.sub.2CCH                                                                            3       O  O                                          2.151 N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    2-COOCH.sub.2CCH                                                                            3       O  O                                          2.152 C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                      2-COOCH.sub.2CCH                                                                            3       O  O                                          2.153 CF.sub.3                                                                             2-COOCH.sub.2CCH                                                                            3       O  O                                          2.154 OCHF.sub.2                                                                           2-COOCH.sub.2CCH                                                                            3       O  O                                          2.155 CH.sub.3                                                                             3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               2       O  O                                          2.156 OCH.sub.3                                                                            3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               2       O  O                                          2.157 Cl    3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               2       O  O                                          2.158 N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               2       O  O                                          2.159 C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                      3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               2       O  O                                          2.160 CF.sub.3                                                                             3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               2       O  O                                          2.161 OCHF.sub.2                                                                           3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                               2       O  O                                          2.162 CH.sub.3                                                                             3-COOC.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                        2       O  O                                          2.163 OCH.sub.3                                                                            3-COOC.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                        2       O  O                                          2.164 Cl    3-COOC.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                        2       O  O                                          2.165 N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    3-COOC.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                        2       O  O                                          2.166 C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                      3-COOC.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                        2       O  O                                          2.167 CF.sub.3                                                                             3-COOC.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                        2       O  O                                          2.168 OCHF.sub.2                                                                           3-COOC.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                        2       O  O                                          2.169 CH.sub.3                                                                             3-COOCH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     2       O  O                                          2.170 OCH.sub.3                                                                            3-COOCH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     2       O  O                                          2.171 Cl    3-COOCH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     2       O  O                                          2.172 N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    3-COOCH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     2       O  O                                          2.173 C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                      3-COOCH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     2       O  O                                          2.174 CF.sub.3                                                                             3-COOCH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     2       O  O                                          2.175 OCHF.sub.2                                                                           3-COOCH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     2       O  O                                          2.176 CH.sub.3                                                                             3-CON(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                       2       O  O                                          2.177 OCH.sub.3                                                                            3-CON(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                       2       O  O                                          2.178 Cl    3-CON(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                       2       O  O                                          2.179 N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    3-CON(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                       2       O  O                                          2.180 C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                      3-CO N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                      2       O  O                                          2.181 CF.sub.3                                                                             3-CON(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                       2       O  O                                          2.182 OCHF.sub.2                                                                           3-CON(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                       2       O  O                                          2.183 CH.sub.3                                                                             2-CON(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                       3       O  O                                          2.184 OCH.sub.3                                                                            2-CON(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                       3       O  O                                          2.185 Cl    2-CON(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                       3       O  O                                          2.186 N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    2-CON(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                       3       O  O                                          2.187 C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                      2-CON(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                       3       O  O                                          2.188 CF.sub.3                                                                             2-CON(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                       3       O  O                                          2.189 OCHF.sub.2                                                                           2-CON(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                       3       O  O                                          2.190 CH.sub.3                                                                             4-CON(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                       3       O  O                                          2.191 OCH.sub.3                                                                            4-CON(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                       3       O  O                                          2.192 Cl    4-CON(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                       3       O  O                                          2.193 N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    4-CON(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                       3       O  O                                          2.194 C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                      4-CON(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                       3       O  O                                          2.195 CF.sub.3                                                                             4-CON(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                       3       O  O                                          2.196 OCHF.sub.2                                                                           4-CON(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                       3       O  O                                          2.197 CH.sub.3                                                                             2-NO.sub.2   3       O  O                                          2.198 OCH.sub.3                                                                            2-NO.sub.2   3       O  O                                          2.199 OCHF.sub.2                                                                           2-NO.sub.2   3       O  O                                          2.200 CH.sub.3                                                                             3-NO.sub.2   2       O  O                                          2.201 OCH.sub.3                                                                            3-NO.sub.2   2       O  O                                          2.202 OCHF.sub.2                                                                           3-NO.sub.2   2       O  O                                          2.203 CH.sub.3                                                                             3-NO.sub.2   4       O  O                                          2.204 OCH.sub.3                                                                            3-NO.sub.2   4       O  O                                          2.205 OCHF.sub.2                                                                           3-NO.sub.2   4       O  O                                          2.206 CH.sub.3                                                                             4-COOCH.sub.2CCH                                                                            3       O  O                                          2.207 OCH.sub.3                                                                            4-COOCH.sub.2CCH                                                                            3       O  O                                          2.208 OCH.sub.3                                                                            4-COOCH.sub.2CHCH.sub.2                                                                     3       O  O                                          2.209 CH.sub.3                                                                             4-COOC.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                        3       O  O                                          2.210 OCH.sub.3                                                                            4-COOC.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                        3       O  O                                          __________________________________________________________________________

                  TABLE 3                                                          ______________________________________                                          ##STR16##                                                                     Com-                      Position of the   m.p.                               pound R.sub.1   R.sub.2   sulfonyl group                                                                           Z   Y   [°C.]                       ______________________________________                                         3.1   CH.sub.3  2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                            3         O   O                                      3.2   OCH.sub.3 2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                            3         O   O                                      3.3   Cl        2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                            3         O   O                                      3.4   N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                        2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                            3         O   O                                      3.5   C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                          2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                            3         O   O                                      3.6   CF.sub.3  2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                            3         O   O                                      3.7   OCHF.sub.2                                                                               2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                            3         O   O                                      3.8   CH.sub.3  3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                            2         O   O                                      3.9   OCH.sub.3 3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                            2         O   O                                      3.10  Cl        3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                            2         O   O                                      3.11  N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                        3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                            2         O   O                                      3.12  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                          3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                            2         O   O                                      3.13  CF.sub.3  3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                            2         O   O                                      3.14  OCHF.sub.2                                                                               3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                            2         O   O                                      3.15  CH.sub.3  4-COOCH.sub.3                                                                            3         O   O                                      3.16  OCH.sub.3 4-COOCH.sub.3                                                                            3         O   O                                      3.17  Cl        4-COOCH.sub.3                                                                            3         O   O                                      3.18  N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                        4-COOCH.sub.3                                                                            3         O   O                                      3.19  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                          4-COOCH.sub.3                                                                            3         O   O                                      3.20  CF.sub.3  4-COOCH.sub.3                                                                            3         O   O                                      3.21  OCHF.sub.2                                                                               4-COOCH.sub.3                                                                            3         O   O                                      3.22  CH.sub.3  2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                            3         S   O                                      3.23  OCH.sub.3 2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                            3         S   O                                      3.24  Cl        2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                            3         S   O                                      3.25  N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                        2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                            3         S   O                                      3.26  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                          2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                            3         S   O                                      3.27  CF.sub.3  2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                            3         S   O                                      3.28  OCH.sub.2 2-COOCH.sub.3                                                                            3         S   O                                      ______________________________________                                    

                                      TABLE 4                                      __________________________________________________________________________      ##STR17##                                                                                       Position of the                                              Compound                                                                             R.sub.1                                                                              R.sub.2                                                                              sulfonyl group                                                                         R.sub.4 Z m.p. [°C.]                          __________________________________________________________________________     4.1   CH.sub.3                                                                             H     2       H       O 189                                        4.2   OCH.sub.3                                                                            H     2       H       O                                            4.3   Cl    H     2       H       O                                            4.4   N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    H     2       H       O                                            4.5   C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                      H     2       H       O                                            4.6   CF.sub.3                                                                             H     2       H       O                                            4.7   OCHF.sub.2                                                                           H     2       H       O                                            4.8   CH.sub.3                                                                             H     3       H       O 173-174                                    4.9   OCH.sub.3                                                                            H     3       H       O                                            4.10  Cl    H     3       H       O                                            4.11  N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    H     3       H       O                                            4.12  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                      H     3       H       O                                            4.13  CF.sub.3                                                                             H     3       H       O                                            4.14  OCHF.sub.2                                                                           H     3       H       O                                            4.15  CH.sub.3                                                                             H     3       CH.sub.3                                                                               O                                            4.16  OCH.sub.3                                                                            H     3       CH.sub.3                                                                               O                                            4.17  Cl    H     3       CH.sub.3                                                                               O                                            4.18  N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    H     3       CH.sub.3                                                                               O                                            4.19  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                      H     3       CH.sub.3                                                                               O                                            4.20  CF.sub.3                                                                             H     3       CH.sub.3                                                                               O                                            4.21  OCHF.sub.2                                                                           H     3       CH.sub.3                                                                               O                                            4.22  CH.sub.3                                                                             H     2       (CH.sub.2).sub.2CN                                                                     O                                            4.23  OCH.sub.3                                                                            H     2       (CH.sub.2).sub.2CN                                                                     O                                            4.24  Cl    H     2       (CH.sub.2).sub.2CN                                                                     O                                            4.25  N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    H     2       (CH.sub.2).sub.2CN                                                                     O                                            4.26  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                      H     2       (CH.sub.2).sub.2CN                                                                     O                                            4.27  CF.sub.3                                                                             H     2       (CH.sub.2).sub.2CN                                                                     O                                            4.28  OCHF.sub.2                                                                           H     2       (CH.sub.2).sub.2CN                                                                     O                                            4.29  CH.sub.3                                                                             H     2       CH.sub.3                                                                               O                                            4.30  OCH.sub.3                                                                            H     2       CH.sub.3                                                                               O                                            4.31  Cl    H     2       CH.sub.3                                                                               O                                            4.32  N(CH.sub.3).sub. 2                                                                   H     2       CH.sub.3                                                                               O                                            4.33  CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                    H     2       CH.sub.3                                                                               O                                            4.34  CF.sub.3                                                                             H     2       CH.sub.3                                                                               O                                            4.35  OCHF.sub.2                                                                           H     2       CH.sub.3                                                                               O                                            4.36  CH.sub.3                                                                             H     3       CH.sub.3                                                                               O                                            4.37  OCH.sub.3                                                                            H     3       CH.sub.3                                                                               O                                            4.38  Cl    H     3       CH.sub.3                                                                               O                                            4.39  N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    H     3       CH.sub.3                                                                               O                                            4.40  CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                    H     3       CH.sub.3                                                                               O                                            4.41  CF.sub.3                                                                             H     3       CH.sub.3                                                                               O                                            4.42  OCHF.sub.2                                                                           H     3       CH.sub.3                                                                               O                                            4.43  CH.sub.3                                                                             H     3       CH.sub.3                                                                               S                                            4.44  OCH.sub.3                                                                            H     3       CH.sub.3                                                                               S                                            4.45  Cl    H     3       CH.sub.3                                                                               S                                            4.46  N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    H     3       CH.sub.3                                                                               S                                            4.47  CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                    H     3       CH.sub.3                                                                               S                                            4.48  CF.sub.3                                                                             H     3       CH.sub.3                                                                               S                                            4.49  OCHF.sub.2                                                                           H     3       CH.sub.3                                                                               S                                            4.50  CH.sub.3                                                                             3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                        2       CH.sub.3                                                                               O                                            4.51  OCH.sub.3                                                                            3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                        2       CH.sub.3                                                                               O                                            4.52  Cl    3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                        2       CH.sub.3                                                                               O                                            4.53  N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                        2       CH.sub.3                                                                               O                                            4.54  CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                    3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                        2       CH.sub.3                                                                               O                                            4.55  CF.sub. 3                                                                            3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                        2       CH.sub.3                                                                               O                                            4.56  OCHF.sub.2                                                                           3-COOCH.sub.3                                                                        2       CH.sub.3                                                                               O                                            __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 5

Formulation examples for compounds of formula I (percentages are by weight)

    ______________________________________                                         (a) Wettable powders (a)     (b)     (c)                                       ______________________________________                                         Compound of formula I                                                                               20%     60%     0.5%                                      sodium lignosulfonate                                                                               5%      5%      5%                                        sodium laurylsulfate 3%      --      --                                        sodium diisobutylnaphthalenesulfonate                                                               --      6%      6%                                        octylphenol polyethylene glycol ether                                                               --      2%      2%                                        (7-8 moles of ethylene oxide)                                                  highly dispersed silicid acid                                                                       5%      27%     27%                                       kaolin               67%     --      --                                        sodium chloride      --      --      59.5%                                     ______________________________________                                    

The active ingredient is thoroughly mixed with the adjuvants and the mixture is thoroughly ground in a suitable mill, affording wettable powders which can be diluted with water to give suspensions of the desired concentration.

    ______________________________________                                         (b) Emulsifiable concentrates                                                                          (a)    (b)                                             ______________________________________                                         Compound of formula I   10%     1%                                             octylphenol polyethylene glycol ether                                                                   3%     3%                                             (4-5 moles of ethylene oxide)                                                  calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate castor                                                                  4%     4%                                             oil polyglycol ether (36 moles of                                              ethylene oxide)                                                                cyclohexanone           30%    10%                                             xylene mixture          50%    79%                                             ______________________________________                                    

Emulsions of any required concentration can be obtained from this concentrate by dilution with water.

    ______________________________________                                         (c) Dusts           (a)     (b)                                                ______________________________________                                         Compound of formula I                                                                               0.1%    1%                                                talcum              99.9%   --                                                 kaolin              --      99%                                                ______________________________________                                    

Dusts which are ready for use are obtained by mixing the active ingredient with the carriers, and grinding the mixture in a suitable mill.

    ______________________________________                                         (d) Extruder granulate                                                                             (a)    (b)                                                 ______________________________________                                         Compound of formula I                                                                              10%    1%                                                  sodium lignosulfonate                                                                               2%    2%                                                  carboxymethylcellulose                                                                              1%    1%                                                  kaolin              87%    96%                                                 ______________________________________                                    

The active ingredient is mixed and ground with the adjuvants, and the mixture is subsequently moistened with water. The mixture is extruded and then dried in a stream of air.

    ______________________________________                                         (e) Coated granulate                                                           ______________________________________                                         Compound of formula I                                                                              3%                                                         polyethylene glycol 200                                                                            2%                                                         kaolin             94%                                                         ______________________________________                                    

The finely ground active ingredient is uniformly applied, in a mixer, to the kaolin moistened with polyethylene glycol. Non-dusty coated granulates are obtained in this manner.

    ______________________________________                                         (f) Suspension concentrate                                                                             (a)    (b)                                             ______________________________________                                         Compound of formula I   40%    5%                                              ethylene glycol         10%    10%                                             nonylphenol polyethylene glycol ether                                                                  6%     1%                                              (15 moles of ethylene oxide)                                                   sodium lignosulfonate   10%    5%                                              carboxymethylcellulose  1%     1%                                              37% aqueous formaldehyde solution                                                                      0.2%   0.2%                                            silocone oil in the form of a 75%                                                                      0.8%   0.8%                                            aqueous emulsion                                                               water                   32%    77%                                             ______________________________________                                    

The finely ground active ingredient is intimately mixed with the adjuvants, giving a suspension concentrate from which suspensions of any desired concentration can be obtained by dilution with water.

    ______________________________________                                         (g) Salt solution                                                              ______________________________________                                         Compound of formula I  5%                                                      isopropylamine         1%                                                      octylphenol polyethylene glycol ether                                                                 3%                                                      (78 moles of ethylene oxide)                                                   water                  91%                                                     ______________________________________                                    

BIOLOGICAL EXAMPLES EXAMPLE 6 Preemergence herbicidal action

Plastic pots are filled with expanded vermiculite (density: 0.135 g/cm³, water-absorbing capacity: 0.565 l/l). After the non-adsorptive vermiculite has been saturated with an aqueous emulsion in deionised water which contains the test compound in a concentration of 70.8 ppm, seeds of the following plants are sown on the surface: Nasturtium officinalis, Agrostis tenuis, Stellaria media and Digitaria sanguinalis. The pots are then kept in a climatic chamber at 20° C., an illumination of about 20 lux and a relative humidity of 70%. During the germinating phase of 4 to 5 days, the pots are covered with lightpermeable material and watered with deionised water to increase the local humidity. After the 5th day, 0.5% of a commercial liquid fertiliser (Greenzit®) is added to the water. The test is evaluated 12 days after sowing and the action on the plants is assessed according to the following rating:

1: plants have not emerged or are totally withered

2-3: very pronounced action

4-6: medium action

7-8: weak action

9: no action (as untreated controls).

    ______________________________________                                         Preemergence action:                                                           Concentration of the test compound emulsion: 70.8 ppm                          Test plant                                                                     Compound                                                                               Nasturtium  Stellaria                                                                               Agrostis Digitaria                                ______________________________________                                          1.15   1           1        1        1                                         1.29   2           3        2        3                                         1.50   1           2        1        1                                         1.86   2           6        2        2                                        2.1     1           1        1        1                                        2.2     1           1        1        1                                        2.3     2           4        2        3                                        2.4     1           4        1        3                                        2.7     1           3        1        6                                        2.8     1           2        1        2                                        2.9     1           2        1        2                                         2.11   1           2        1        2                                         2.14   1           2        1        3                                        ______________________________________                                    

(b) In a greenhouse, plant seeds are sown in flower pots of 12-13 cm diameter. Immediately after sowing, the surface of the soil is treated with an aqueous dispersion or solution of the compounds to be tested. Concentrations of 125 and 30 g of a.i./ha are employed. The pots are then kept in the greenhouse at 22°-25° C. and 50-70% relative humidity. The test is evaluated 3 weeks later in accordance with the rating indicated above.

    ______________________________________                                         Preemergence action                                                                     Action                                                                                 Com-               Com-                                                Compound                                                                               pound    Compound  pound                                               2.2     2.8      2.9       2.14                                                Rate of application in g % a.i./ha                                    Test plant 125    30     125  30  125  30   125  30                            ______________________________________                                         barley     8      9      2    4   2    6    7    9                             wheat      6      8      3    4   3    7    8    9                             maize      6      8      7    8   8    9    9    9                             dry rice   3      6      1    1   1    2    6    7                             Alopecurus 5      6      2    3   1    2    2    4                             myos.                                                                          Echinochloa                                                                               8      9      3    4   4    7    9    9                             c.g.                                                                           Rottboellia                                                                               8      9      6    7   5    7    6    9                             ex.                                                                            Cyperus escul.                                                                            4      8      1    4   1    2    3    9                             soybeans   8      8      8    9   5    7    7    9                             cotton     4      7      4    5   3    5    9    9                             sugar beet 2      2      2    3   1    1    2    4                             Abutilon   2      4      5    6   2    4    7    7                             Xanthium Sp.                                                                              7      9      4    5   3    4    6    9                             Amaranthus ret.                                                                           3      3      2    3   2    2    2    2                             Chenopodium Sp.                                                                           4      6      5    6   2    2    3    9                             Solanum    5      8      3    4   2    3    3    9                             nigrum                                                                         Ipomoea    4      9      6    8   4    6    3    9                             Sinapis    2      3      3    4   1    1    3    9                             Stellaria  3      4      3    4   2    2    2    2                             Chrysanthe.                                                                               2      3      2    2   1    1    2    9                             leuc.                                                                          Galium aparine                                                                            3      5      3    3   1    2    2    5                             Viola tricolor                                                                            2      2      3    3   1    2    3    9                             Veronica Sp.                                                                              1      2      1    1   1    1    2    2                             ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 7

Postermergence herbicidal action (contact action)

A number of weeds and cultivated plants, both monocots and dicots, are sprayed postemergence, in the 4- to 6-leaf stage, with an aqueous dispersion of test compound at rates of application of 125 and 30 g of a.i./ha, and then kept at 24°-26° and 45-60% relative humidity. The test is evaluated 15 days after treatment using the same rating as in the preemergence test.

    ______________________________________                                         Postemergence action                                                                      Action                                                                         Compound 2.2                                                                               Compound 2.9                                                       Rate of application in g of a.i./ha                                 Test plant   125     30        125   30                                        ______________________________________                                         wheat        8       9         7     8                                         maize        8       9         8     9                                         dry rice     8       9         5     7                                         Alopecurus myos.                                                                            6       7         4     7                                         Echinochloa c.g.                                                                            8       9         6     7                                         Cyperus escul.                                                                              4       6         3     4                                         soybeans     6       7         5     7                                         cotton       5       6         8     8                                         sugar beet   2       2         2     2                                         Abutilon     3       4         2     3                                         Xanthium Sp. 2       2         2     2                                         Chenopodium Sp.                                                                             5       6         3     5                                         Ipomoea      4       7         4     5                                         Sinapis      2       2         3     3                                         Galium aparine                                                                              4       5         4     6                                         Viola tricolor                                                                              2       3         2     4                                         ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 8

Growth inhibition of tropical cover crops

The test plants (centrosema plumieri and centrosema pubescens) are reared until fully grown and then cut back to a height of 60 cm. The plants are sprayed 7 days later with an aqueous emulsion of the test compound. The test plants are kept at 70% relative humidity and 6000 lux artificial light for 14 hours per day, at day temperatures of 27° C. and night temperatures of 21° C. The test is evaluated 4 weeks after application by assessing and weighing the new growth compared with controls and by determining the phytotoxicity.

In this test a marked reduction in new growth of the plants treated with compounds of the formula I is observed (less than 20% of the new growth of untreated control plants), without damage being caused to the test plants. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound selected from the group consisting of a sulfonylurea of the formula: ##STR18## wherein R₁ is halo, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, haloalkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, haloalkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or dialkylamino, each alkyl of which has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;R₂ is hydrogen, halo, alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, alkylsulfonyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, N,N-dialkylaminosulfonyl each alkyl of which has from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, alkanoyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxycarbonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, allyloxycarbonyl, 2-methoxyethoxycarbonyl or propargyloxycarbonyl; and R₃ is hydrogen, halo, alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, methoxy, nitro or trifluoromethyl; and the salts thereof.
 2. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₃ is hydrogen and R₂ is hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, alkoxy of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, acetyl, nitro, methylsulfonyl, allyloxycarbonyl, 2-methoxyethoxycarbonyl, propargyloxycarbonyl, dimethylaminosulfonyl, or alkoxycarbonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
 3. A compound according to claim 2 wherein R₁ is chloro, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, fluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, difluoromethoxy or dimethylamino.
 4. A compound according to claim 3 wherein R₂ is vicinal to the depicted sulfonyl group.
 5. A compound according to claim 4 wherein R₂ is alkoxycarbonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
 6. A compound selected from the group consisting of a sulfonylurea of the formula: ##STR19## wherein R₁ is halo, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, haloalkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, haloalkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or dialkylamino, each alkyl of which has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;R₂ is hydrogen, halo, alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, alkylsulfonyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, N,N-dialkylaminosulfonyl each alkyl of which has from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, alkanoyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxycarbonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, allyloxycarbonyl, 2-methoxyethoxycarbonyl or propargyloxycarbonyl; and R₃ is hydrogen, halo, alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, methoxy, nitro or trifluoromethyl; and the salts thereof.
 7. A compound according to claim 6 wherein R₃ is hydrogen and R₂ is hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, alkoxy of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, acetyl, nitro, methylsulfonyl, allyloxycarbonyl, 2-methoxyethoxycarbonyl, propargyloxycarbonyl, dimethylaminosulfonyl, or alkoxycarbonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
 8. A compound according to claim 7 wherein R₁ is chloro, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, fluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, difluoromethoxy or dimethylamino.
 9. A compound according to claim 8 wherein R₂ is vicinal to the depicted sulfonyl group.
 10. The method of controlling the growth of weeds in desirable crops which comprises applying to the weeds or to their environs an effective amount of a compound according to claim
 1. 11. A herbicidal composition comprising an effective amount of a compound according to claim 1 in combination with an inert carrier.
 12. The method of controlling the growth of weeds in desirable crops which comprises applying to the weeds or to their environs an effective amount of a compound according to claim
 6. 13. A herbicidal composition comprising an effective amount of a compound according to claim 6 in combination with an inert carrier.
 14. N-(2-Methoxycarbonyl-3-thienylsulfonyl)-N'-(4-difluoromethoxy-6-methylpyrimidin-2-yl)urea according to claim
 1. 15. N-(4-Methoxycarbonyl-3-thienylsulfonyl)-N'-(4-difluoromethoxy-6-methylpyrimidin-2-yl)urea according to claim
 1. 16. N-(2-Chloro-3-pyridinylsulfonyl)-N'-(4-difluoromethoxy-6-methylpyrimidin-2-yl)urea according to claim
 6. 17. N-(4-Methoxycarbonyl-3-thienylsulfonyl)-N'-(4-difluoromethoxy-6-methoxypyrimidin-2-yl)urea according to claim
 1. 